FS FEUP: Driving Innovation with Precision PCBs

FS FEUP 2024 season

FS FEUP is a Formula Student team from the University of Porto, dedicated to designing and building an innovative electric car for international competitions, and we are gearing up to launch our second prototype in 2025. However, 2024 was entirely dedicated to the concept and design of the 02 model, as well as the implementation of autonomous systems in our 01 prototype to validate the progress we’ve made so far.

With the design and development of our new prototype, we are committed to creating and validating our self-made PCBs ,  which are crucial for ensuring the highest performance and reliability of our next car. To achieve this, we rely on our partner, Eurocircuits, whose excellence and high-quality in PCB manufacturing gives us confidence that our circuits will meet the highest standards. Without Eurocircuits’ support, the results would undoubtedly not be the same.

Here are some examples of the PCBs produced at Eurocircuits

1.1 Master PCB

The Master PCB is responsible for acquiring and processing data from various sensors in the car. It plays a crucial role in controlling aspects of autonomous driving, ensuring that the data collected from the car’s environment is correctly interpreted and utilized for decision-making processes.

1.2 BSPD PCB

The BSPD PCB ensures car safety by monitoring brake pressure and motor power, and opening the shutdown circuit if any implausibility or anomalies are detected. Compared to the previous version of the prototype, this upgraded version features a four-layer structure, which reduces electromagnetic interference and enhances both performance and design quality. This improvement increases the reliability of the safety system, making it more robust for use in demanding conditions.

To validate the concept and design for the next prototype, we participated in three competitions: FSUK, FSPT, and FS Switzerland. In these competitions, we achieved excellent results, something we are immensely proud of. These accomplishments reflect the hard work and dedication of our team, which continues to grow and evolve with each phase of the project.

• FS Switzerland – 1st Place Overall Junior Cup
• FS United Kingdom – 2nd Place Overall Concept Class
• FS Portugal – 1st Place Overall Concept Class

With every step, we are getting closer to our goal of placing FS FEUP among the top Formula Student teams. We are excited for the future and determined to keep innovating with Eurocircuits!

For more information please visit the FS FEUP website.